An Apple a Day Keeps our Jobs Away

Apple’s executives believe the vast scale of overseas factories as well as the flexibility,
diligence and industrial skills of foreign workers have so outpaced their American counterparts that “Made in the U.S.A.” is no longer a viable option for most Apple products. (as reported in today's NYTimes)

"Companies once felt an obligation to support American workers, ” said Betsey Stevenson, the chief economist at the Labor Department until last September. Not anymore!

"How will Americans respond to this? That's my big question after reading Apple's points. There is some truth to how much more would it cost if Apple had to build factories in America to produce their products.

If Americans could see this as a challenge and respond by being more productive and demonstrating what kind of value they can produce for a company, then they may have something. Another line of thought here is what percent of Apple's employees are in the manufacturing division as compared to those working in Apple stores or in the Research and Design area?

JB "

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Ian Welsh

September 19, 2017 05:32 PM

"I am shocked! As a close and involved neighbor, I am impressed by the diligence and dedication of US workers. I hate to think about the basis of comparison!

With the massive number of registered and unregistered (without hope) unemployed American workers, to further increase the number of leading employers preferring to hire non-Americans in other countries is a potential disaster - more a case of trickling away than trickling down. At least the government is taking some action to bring some of the ""exported"" work home to the USA.

What do you think, Maurizio?

Ian "

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Ian Welsh

September 19, 2017 05:32 PM

"I am shocked! As a close and involved neighbor, I am impressed by the diligence and dedication of US workers. I hate to think about the basis of comparison!

With the massive number of registered and unregistered (without hope) American workers, to further increase the number of leading employers preferring to hire non-Americans in other countries is a potential disaster - more a case of trickling away than trickling down. At least some action is underway to bring some work home to the USA.